Real Madrid are reportedly considering one of the most ambitious transfer strategies of the summer as club president Florentino Perez and the recruitment department explore a complex deal involving highly rated Argentine midfielder Nico Paz in an attempt to secure Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni.
The proposed move could become one of the biggest transfer stories of the window, linking three clubs, multiple negotiations and FIFA regulations in a deal that would require careful planning before it can become a reality.
According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid are closely monitoring the situation surrounding Nico Paz, the talented midfielder who left the Santiago Bernabeu last summer to join Italian side Como. The Spanish giants inserted a buy back clause worth €9 million into the agreement, giving them the opportunity to bring the player back after his remarkable breakthrough season in Serie A.
Rather than reintegrating Paz into Jose Mourinho’s first team plans, Madrid are believed to be exploring the possibility of activating the clause before negotiating a permanent transfer that could value the Argentine at around €60 million.
The move would provide Real Madrid with a valuable bargaining asset as they pursue one of Europe’s finest defenders in Alessandro Bastoni.
Bastoni has emerged as Mourinho’s preferred defensive target after alternative options became increasingly difficult to secure. Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck is currently unavailable following a serious injury, while Manchester City’s Ruben Dias remains untouchable as Pep Guardiola has no intention of allowing the Portuguese international to leave.
With those options effectively ruled out, attention has shifted to Bastoni, who has established himself as one of the best left sided central defenders in world football.
The Italian international has enjoyed several outstanding seasons with Inter, helping the Nerazzurri compete consistently for Serie A titles and European honours. Comfortable in possession, dominant in aerial duels and capable of initiating attacks from the back, Bastoni perfectly fits Mourinho’s desire to build a defence capable of challenging for every major trophy.
Reports suggest Inter value the defender at approximately €70 million. Although the club are reluctant to lose one of their defensive leaders, their interest in Nico Paz could provide Madrid with an opportunity to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement.
Nico Paz has rapidly become one of the brightest young midfielders in European football.
Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, on September 8, 2004, Paz comes from a family deeply connected to professional sport. His father, Pablo Paz, represented Argentina at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and enjoyed a distinguished playing career as a central defender.
Eligible to represent both Spain and Argentina, Nico chose to play for Argentina, continuing his family’s football legacy. He joined Real Madrid’s famous La Fabrica academy at a young age, where coaches quickly recognised his exceptional technical ability, creativity and intelligence on the ball.
Operating primarily as an attacking midfielder, Paz is equally capable of playing as a central midfielder or wide playmaker. His excellent vision, accurate passing, long range shooting and composure under pressure have made him one of South America’s most exciting young prospects.
His move to Como proved to be the perfect step in his development.
Working under former Spain international Cesc Fabregas, Paz flourished in Serie A, enjoying the freedom to express himself in one of Europe’s most tactically demanding leagues. During the 2025–26 season, he scored 13 goals and contributed eight assists, playing a crucial role in Como’s impressive campaign.
Those performances also strengthened his position within Argentina’s national team setup, where he is regarded as one of the country’s future midfield leaders.
Despite Madrid’s admiration for his development, competition for places at the Santiago Bernabeu remains intense.
With established stars including Jude Bellingham, Bernardo Silva and several other elite midfielders already competing for starting positions, Mourinho may struggle to guarantee Paz the regular playing time required for his continued growth.
Reports indicate the Portuguese manager has already discussed the situation with the player, making it clear that opportunities would depend on competition and performance rather than promises.
That uncertainty could encourage Paz to remain in Italy, where he has become a fan favourite and an influential figure in Como’s long term sporting project.
However, the proposed transfer strategy faces another significant obstacle beyond negotiations.
FIFA regulations regarding bridge transfers prohibit clubs from immediately purchasing and reselling a player within a short period if the transaction is designed solely to facilitate another transfer.
Under Article 5bis of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, two consecutive transfers involving the same player within 16 weeks may be investigated as a bridge transfer unless clubs can clearly demonstrate legitimate sporting reasons.
As a result, Real Madrid may need to delay any permanent sale or instead structure the agreement through a loan with an obligation to buy, ensuring compliance with international transfer rules.
With the summer transfer market gathering momentum, Real Madrid’s pursuit of Bastoni could become one of football’s most intriguing negotiations.
Whether Nico Paz ultimately returns to the Santiago Bernabeu, remains with Como or becomes a central figure in a blockbuster deal involving Inter Milan, the Argentine’s future is set to be one of the most closely watched transfer stories in European football.
